March 15, 2008

Punctuations in english

End your sentences with a period (full stop), question mark, or exclamation point (exclamation mark or shout mark). Use the period (full stop) to denote a full stop at the end of a statement. The period ( . ) is one of the most commonly used punctuation marks. The accessibility of the computer has increased tremendously over the past several years. The question mark ( ? ), used at the end of a sentence, suggests an interrogatory remark or inquiry. What has humanity done about the growing concern of global warming? The exclamation point (exclamation mark, shout mark)( ! ) suggests excitement or emphasis in a sentence. I can't believe how difficult the exam was! Use the semicolon and colon properly. The semicolon ( ; ) has a few uses. Use a semicolon to separate two related but independent clauses. Note that, if the two clauses are very wordy or complex, it is better to use a period instead. People continue to worry about the future; our failure to conserve resources has put the world at risk. Use a semicolon to separate a complex series of items, especially those that contain commas. I went to the show with Jake, my close friend; his friend, Jane; and her best friend, Jenna. The colon ( : ) has multiple uses. Use the colon to introduce a list. Be careful not to use a colon when denoting a regular series. Usually, the word following suggests the use of a colon. Use only after a noun. The professor has given me three options: to retake the exam, to accept the extra credit assignment, or to fail the class.